Dude it'll be a surprise if Italy don't at least make it to the QFs in 2014. I think, like I said b4, it's between Italy, Brazil, Germany and Spain for that next tournament. I think Italy's midfield next year if it is Pirlo, Verratti, De Rossi and Montolivo. That's defensively sound and can make some insane passes. I'd imagine Balo would be up front. Don't know who the attacking midfielder/winger/other striker would be though.

You see us among the favourites? Thanks but I don't think this group is a top team right now. We have a good technique but we don't have any worthy striker besides Balo as I told so it's a risk. At least we have a very huge cohesiveness which is a feature we've always had (well, often).

Just as in 2006 :cookie:

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The Croatia match was in the group stage. 2-0 vs France, PKs vs Portugal, 4 - 0 vs Italia. England is on par with France and Portugal. So, Spain beat Italy. Italy beat Germany. Spain's defeated Germany before at Euro and WC. Hmm are we really going to talk about luck - a PK in the 95th minute against Australia.

Well it sounds like it when you say stuff like Spain won against poor opponents. Yet, the 3 finalists they've defeated for those trophies are three powerhouses traditionally +/or currently. Also WC knockout stages - Portugal, Paraguay, Germany, Holland - yup, some pretty bad competition there too.

Look, it was 2-0 only due to a penalty kick by Xabi Alonso in the 91', they've been really much on the edge.
Pks against Portugal after POR wasted a lot (if I recall correctly) and then against us coming from an overtime games (Pks against England) and a game against Germany where we spent a lot due to the effort (btw always a joy beating Germany) so they got an eeeeasy win (even though I'm sure they would have win anyway, to be clear. Spain was at its own top).

And to be honest, I give credit where credit is due, but Portugal is not a top powerhouse in Europe (even if we should clarify what we mean with "powerhouses". To me, powerhouses here are England, France, Spain, Germany and Italy). But anyway I remember a Portugal wasting more than one time good shots.

Another consideration, Portugal has always had wonderful midfielders and nice D, but never had a decisive striker (if we only think they had Nuno Gomes on their starting 11 for, how many, 10 years maybe? And they've never had a worthy substitute).

Can't catch the point of the last (ironic) part since I underlined how is almost impossible to win (or simply to go on in the tournament) with at least a lil' bit of luck. Some examples:
1) Italy in the WC (poor opponents 'til the semi-finals (Ukraine in the QF, are you kidding me? God bless that year) plus a penalty kick in the 95');
2) Internazionale with a couple of penalties not given to the opponents (Chelsea and Barcelona) in 2010;
3) Barcelona against Chelsea in 2009(? lol @ Ovrebo);
4) Spain in 2010 with Robben wasting a couple of shots in front of Casillas;
5) Bayern against Fiorentina

and so on. Luck is part of soccer (sometimes less, sometimes more) whether people like this or not.

You see us among the favourites? Thanks but I don't think this group is a top team right now. We have a good technique but we don't have any worthy striker besides Balo as I told so it's a risk. At least we have a very huge cohesiveness which is a feature we've always had (well, often).

Just as in 2006 :cookie:

Look, it was 2-0 only due to a penalty kick by Xabi Alonso in the 91', they've been really much on the edge.
Pks against Portugal after POR wasted a lot (if I recall correctly) and then against us coming from an overtime games (Pks against England) and a game against Germany where we spent a lot due to the effort (btw always a joy beating Germany) so they got an eeeeasy win (even though I'm sure they would have win anyway, to be clear. Spain was at its own top).

And to be honest, I give credit where credit is due, but Portugal is not a top powerhouse in Europe (even if we should clarify what we mean with "powerhouses". To me, powerhouses here are England, France, Spain, Germany and Italy). But anyway I remember a Portugal wasting more than one time good shots.

Another consideration, Portugal has always had wonderful midfielders and nice D, but never had a decisive striker (if we only think they had Nuno Gomes on their starting 11 for, how many, 10 years maybe? And they've never had a worthy substitute).

Can't catch the point of the last (ironic) part since I underlined how is almost impossible to win (or simply to go on in the tournament) with at least a lil' bit of luck. Some examples:
1) Italy in the WC (poor opponents 'til the semi-finals (Ukraine in the QF, are you kidding me? God bless that year) plus a penalty kick in the 95');
2) Internazionale with a couple of penalties not given to the opponents (Chelsea and Barcelona) in 2010;
3) Barcelona against Chelsea in 2009(? lol @ Ovrebo);
4) Spain in 2010 with Robben wasting a couple of shots in front of Casillas;
5) Bayern against Fiorentina

and so on. Luck is part of soccer (sometimes less, sometimes more) whether people like this or not.

It should be. Got to use SES more hopefully. Spain still won all those games is what I'm saying. So, we didn't face Germany, already beat them in 08 and 10. There's always close games and missed chances - part of the game. Maybe Italy could've done better if CP substituted in a player who hadn't just gotten injured. Um - so Italy spent a lot of effort - so did Spain. PKs against Portugal - 120 minutes, just like Italia and in the semi-finals so you could say Spain was more tired than Italy as Italia played 120 minutes in the QF.

You say Portugal is not a top team but then you mention England as one England are terrible man. France haven't been a top team since 2006. Portugal has done a lot more than England has recently. Of course that's a problem with them Portugal (no CF/ST) but they have a decent team besides that. You can say France plays with no CF/ST cuz Benz hasn't scored a goal for them in like a year :mattyd: So, Spain beat Italy (a powerhouse or true contender) and Italy beat Germany (another true contender/powerhouse).

It sounded like you gave too much inclination towards luck and Spain that's why I included that ironic part.

It should be. Got to use SES more hopefully. Spain still won all those games is what I'm saying. So, we didn't face Germany, already beat them in 08 and 10. There's always close games and missed chances - part of the game. Maybe Italy could've done better if CP substituted in a player who hadn't just gotten injured.

SES?

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Um - so Italy spent a lot of effort - so did Spain. PKs against Portugal - 120 minutes, just like Italia and in the semi-finals so you could say Spain was more tired than Italy as Italia played 120 minutes in the QF.

Not really and it would be evident if you saw all our games and the effort we produced to beat Eng and Ger to compensate our inferiority (because we were).

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You say Portugal is not a top team but then you mention England as one England are terrible man.

Just because they miss to reach the QF in any competion doesn't mean they're terrible, uh.

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Lastly, late response.

You know, in Italy our finals end in late July and I got to make two exams.

To end, it seems like I hate Spain but I don't. I think 1) they're not the best national soccer team the world has ever seen just because, to me, they didn't seem to dominate the competion they won, 2) they're not winning next year but it's in the nature of thing (cheers to them if they do and I might change idea since you don't win three straight trophy casually) and 3) they're D, again, is getting worse expecially due to the filter missing in the midfield. The work Xabi and Bosquets do (them above all) will not be easy to be replaced.

Not really and it would be evident if you saw all our games and the effort we produced to beat Eng and Ger to compensate our inferiority (because we were).

Just because they miss to reach the QF in any competion doesn't mean they're terrible, uh.

You know, in Italy our finals end in late July and I got to make two exams.

To end, it seems like I hate Spain but I don't. I think 1) they're not the best national soccer team the world has ever seen just because, to me, they didn't seem to dominate the competion they won, 2) they're not winning next year but it's in the nature of thing (cheers to them if they do and I might change idea since you don't win three straight trophy casually) and 3) they're D, again, is getting worse expecially due to the filter missing in the midfield. The work Xabi and Bosquets do (them above all) will not be easy to be replaced.

Ok kudos to the effort but Spain played the exact same amount of mins as Italia. You're using the Germany game as an asterisk saying that Italia were tired. You don't think Spain were tired having just played a 120 minute game?

Except they're not a powerhouse and haven't been for a while. England are comparable to Croatia, Serbia, etc. Or, England are like Spain before 2008.

Ok well I didn't know. Cool.

Ok well that's subjective. In the modern era they pretty much are. Yeah, I was waiting for you to say something like that. Lastly, we both agree on the last part but once again, what - 1 competitive loss in 2 or 3 years? Yes, Xabi wasn't there. However, he'll get healthier, not to mention there's also Javi Martinez (Bayern Munchen), Illarramendi (Real Sociedad, maybe Real Madrid soon) Thiago (more like Xavi though - Barca but probably Bayern Munchen soon) and as a last resort Javi Garcia (ManCity) to choose from. So, it's not as bleak as it seems. RB will be improved with Carvajal, Montoya or Azpi starting next year.

Anywho I'm ridiculously happy with what transpired since 2008. Finally pushed away doubts of what Spain could do.

Sociedad didn't want to give him up so Perez had to give them an offer they couldn't refuse. Looks like they want to sign all the decent young players in Spain. Sill don't understand the Modric transfer... but Im a hater :cookie:

Sociedad didn't want to give him up so Perez had to give them an offer they couldn't refuse. Looks like they want to sign all the decent young players in Spain. Sill don't understand the Modric transfer... but Im a hater :cookie:

Yup cuz Real Sociedad along with Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal aren't in real financial trouble. Yeah I'm worried the Illara signing was just cuz he's Spanish. I mean he's a fine young player but that's too much money. Khedira and Ozil were both under 20 million euros. Isco was kind of expensive but given his play in the UCL it's worth it and especially how he's considered by many as the new Iniesta. No like I get the Alonso replacement thing but he (Luka)'s only 5 years younger and Sahin was there anyways who is 7 years younger than Xabi. Is the ability to play CAM too really worth the extra 24+ million euros spent more than what was spent on Nuri? Probably not.

Almost 35M spent for a bench player. I hate this policy (and so a Spanish Real Madrid supporter I met) of Barcellona and Real Madrid because it throws away lot of possibilities to young promising players to improve (the first example I remember is Afellay).

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Originally Posted by LET'S GO RAPTORS!!!!!

Ok kudos to the effort but Spain played the exact same amount of mins as Italia. You're using the Germany game as an asterisk saying that Italia were tired. You don't think Spain were tired having just played a 120 minute game?

No, simply because Spain plays a slower football than Italy, more passes than running. They have two different ways to play soccer and Spain has a less tiring one.

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Except they're not a powerhouse and haven't been for a while. England are comparable to Croatia, Serbia, etc. Or, England are like Spain before 2008.

Hell no. You can't tell that the starting lineup ain't a top one in Europe (and so was Spain before)

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However, he'll get healthier, not to mention there's also Javi Martinez (Bayern Munchen), Illarramendi (Real Sociedad, maybe Real Madrid soon) Thiago (more like Xavi though - Barca but probably Bayern Munchen soon) and as a last resort Javi Garcia (ManCity) to choose from. So, it's not as bleak as it seems. RB will be improved with Carvajal, Montoya or Azpi starting next year.

To me, it's a question mark: we can't say if this new generation will turn into new Xabi, Villa, Ramos and so on. Italy has always had very good generations of U21 and veeery promising (Bianchi, D'Agostino, Rosina, Amelia and so on) but nobody raised his own level bar, but this happens for each National Team. Time will talk.

Almost 35M spent for a bench player. I hate this policy (and so a Spanish Real Madrid supporter I met) of Barcellona and Real Madrid because it throws away lot of possibilities to young promising players to improve (the first example I remember is Afellay).

No, simply because Spain plays a slower football than Italy, more passes than running. They have two different ways to play soccer and Spain has a less tiring one.

Hell no. You can't tell that the starting lineup ain't a top one in Europe (and so was Spain before)

To me, it's a question mark: we can't say if this new generation will turn into new Xabi, Villa, Ramos and so on. Italy has always had very good generations of U21 and veeery promising (Bianchi, D'Agostino, Rosina, Amelia and so on) but nobody raised his own level bar, but this happens for each National Team. Time will talk.

Who - Illarramendi or Modric? Meh, they got Afellay on the cheap and will at least make a profit or use him as a utility man.

So? and Spain work like beasts to get the ball back when they don't have it.

No they aren't and haven't been for a while. There are always good teams like England and then there are very good to great teams ie. true contenders like Germany. The English team is screwed because of their league's transfer policy and this will likely continue for the foreseeable future. Spain didn't have the same quality, depth and style of play before 2008.

Um, I'm just talking about 1 to maybe, maybe 3 positions (CDM/deeplying playmaker and RB). Javi Martinez is already proven and will probably at least play in every game next year in Brazil (at least coming off the bench). Javi Garcia would be on the team as a last resort if lots of injuries happened. Illarramendi would have to shine in Real to make the team. Thiago I also just think his chances decreased given he just went to Bayern. Carvajal will probably overtake Arbeloa at Real. Azpi will be in the running. Montoya will be in the running IF he dethrones Dani Alves. Italy has nice young u21 players but did you see which teams and where the Spain u21s played compared to Italy's? DeGea - starter for MANU, Isco - taking Malaga that far in the UCL, among others. Um, you mention Xabi, Villa and Ramos. I already covered talking about Xabi. Villa? - um, ok? Don't know why you brought him up and if he does make the team next year he'll come off the bench and play utmost 20 minutes max. Ramos - um, don't know why you brought him up given his age and he's the starting CB (alongside Pique) for Spain. He's 2 years younger than the star at the back for Italy - Chiellini.

Barsa lost a lot of money on Thiago If he'd play 3 more games last season the clause would've automatically been raised to 80m The title was decided so early, don't know why they didn't give him extra playing time.

Bayern is a better club but I don't think he'll get a lot more minutes

Barsa lost a lot of money on Thiago If he'd play 3 more games last season the clause would've automatically been raised to 80m The title was decided so early, don't know why they didn't give him extra playing time.

Bayern is a better club but I don't think he'll get a lot more minutes

It's not just been Thiago. They lost Muniesa - ON A FREE TRANSFER, TO STOKE CITY!!!

No he won't he'd get more minutes being Xavi's understudy than Bastian's.

Thiago has been dubbed as Xavi's heir - deeplying playmaker. They can do your proposed lineup in domestic play but not in the UCL against the big fish.

much easier to overtake Xavi in the lineup than Schweinsteiger. If it was playing time he was looking for Man U would have made him an every game starter. Guess he enjoyed playing under Pep and wanted to play under him.